Memory Quilt

My parents passed away in February 2009, ten days apart.  It was a true love story - to be in your ninety's, be married for 75 years, and live together in your own home. Yes, I still miss them but I was so fortunate to see them go quickly and to have enjoyed them for so many years.  I took their personal belongings and made quilts for all the grandchildren, myself and my sister-in-law.  Yes, I did eleven quilts, but it was a wonderful way to heal.  I can do this for you, too.  Here are some pictures:

Dad loved bib overalls, Mom wore black polyester pants. 








The quilt is made with various materials cut into quilt blocks, the back is flannel, and it has been quilted by machine.

2009 Christmas   ~~~   The Quilt

This quilt is a memory for each of us from items closest to my parents: their clothes.

I took Mom and Dad’s clothes and cut them into 8 by 8 inch squares and put them together to make this memory quilt for each of you.

~ The pictures are self explanatory but they were printed on Dad’s white shirts and some material I found that Mom was making white pillow cases out of.

~ The sayings were some Dad always used and also were spoken of at their funerals by Garth and Trent.  These are also on white shirts or pillowcases.

~Dad’s clothing items:

          Red and blue plaid flannel piece was housecoat, lightweight, thread bare, shirt material, bib overalls, grey, sage green and heavy levi pants, plaid material shirts, striped and plain blue material pajamas, and a pocket from his bibbed overalls filled with handkerchief, toothpick and mint.  (In every pocket I found one or all of those things, sometimes the toothpick was literally imbedded in the seam.)

~Mom’s clothing items:

          Floral print was her long lounge dresses, flower or print shirts and dresses, black polyester pants, thinner material levis, beige pants, pink checked dress, some apron material.  I tried to add some of the mended items she had done with the bib overalls and other pieces of clothing.

~I added some flannel that identified Dad, the tractors, and of Mom, either hearts or pink roses.  I also used some plain flannel to complete the corners.

It has been a work in progress since April and I have been so excited as I began to see the finished results. 

Much love has been sewn together here for our memories……  Diane